Nurse-Led Educational Program for Standardized Discharge Coordination

Fragmented discharge processes increase the risk of missed follow-up, medication nonadherence, and avoidable 30-day psychiatric readmissions among individuals with serious mental illness (SMI). I conducted this Doctor of Nursing Practice project to address this practice gap by developing a standardized nurse-led educational framework to strengthen discharge coordination in an inpatient psychiatric setting. The practice-focused question examined whether a standardized nurse-led discharge coordination education framework would improve discharge coordination for adults with SMI transitioning from inpatient to outpatient psychiatric care compared with current non-standardized practices. In a comprehensive literature search using the Johns Hopkins Model, I identified 15 peer-reviewed studies, including three Level I, five Level II, and seven Level III. Evidence supported nurse-led transitional care models, standardized discharge education, and structured follow-up as effective strategies for improving adherence, patient engagement, continuity of care, and post-discharge outcomes. Analytical strategies focused on developing executive-level deliverables, including standardized education materials, discharge coordination competencies, and documentation guidance. Anticipated outcomes include improved continuity of care and greater consistency in discharge coordination. This project advances nursing practice by supporting organizational quality and safety priorities and contributes to positive social change, by promoting equitable access to culturally responsive discharge education for individuals with serious mental illness.